Steam engine



J. L. TATEJ .STEAM ENGINE. I APPLlCATlON'i-ILED MAR. 28. I9I8.

1,406700. PatentedFeb. 14, 1922.

3 SHEETSSHEET l- J. L. TATE.

STEAM ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28. 1918.

Patented Feb. 14, 1922.

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J. L. TATE.

STEAM ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28, 191B.

1 ,406,700, Patented Feb. 14, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- Suva/Mica:

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN LINCOLN TATE, OF CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

STEAM ENGINE.

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7 Application filed March 28, 1918. Serial No. 225,322.

To all whom i1, may concern:

Be it known that I, Joniv liriqconx Tarn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chester, in the county of Delaware and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam Engines, of which the following is a specilication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing. I,

This invention relates to improvements in steam engines and more particularly to an improved system or meansfor super-heating steam or treating the same to increase the expansive force or power thereof for use in such engines. I

The object of the invention is to provide an improved system or means of the character referred to that will be more economical than the methods in use, and that will increase the general efiiciency and power of the engine.

The invention, with other objects and advantages thereof and the particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts comprising the same will be understood from the following detail description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof and illustrating one embodiment of thein vention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a horizontal longitudinal section of a portion of a steam engine. equipped with improved means forgsuper-heating or treating steam in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale illustrating adjoining portionsof the cylinders and the valve controlling the passage between the same; a

Figure 3 is a transverse section on the 2 line 33 ofFigure 1.

Fig. atis a detail view showing the controlling valve in end elevation.

F 5 is a side elevation'with parts shown in section of the structure. illustrated in Fig. 1, and also showing in ageneral way the valve for the steam cylinder, and the steam generator. i

The invention comprehends an improved system or means for treating the steam directly in the cylinder of the engine on the power stroke, the application of heat thereto to raise the pressure and also augmenting the. power of the charge by adding pressure thereto. The invention comprehends an im proved system of this nature that will op crate automatically when the pressure of the steam supplied to the cylinder of the steam engine is less than a predetermined amount. The invention contemplates for this purpose the use of an auxiliary cylinder and piston, the auxiliary cylinder having an intake controlled by a check valve and connected with a suitable supply of gas or explosive mixture such as a carburetor or the like. The auxiliary piston and cylinder operate in a manner similar to an internal combustion or explosive motor to draw in a charge of combustible mixture and to coinpress the same. The piston of the auxiliary gas cylinder is connected with the piston of the steam engine to operate in timed relation therewith, so that a compression stroke of the piston of the gas engine is timed with the power stroke of the piston of the steam engine. A passage is provided between the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary gas cylinder, said passage being controlled by a valve which keeps the passage between the two cylinders closed as long as the pressure in theauxiliary gas cylinder does not exceed the pressure of the steam in the steam engine cylinder on the power stroke thereof, but which opens automatically and establishes communication between the cylinders whenever the pressure in the auxiliary gas cylinder exceeds the pressure in the steam engine cylinder. Meansis provided for igniting the compressed charge of combustible mixture in the auxiliary gas cylinder upon the opening .of the valve that controls the passage way between the cylinders, the heat pressure of the explosive charge being emptied or discharged into the steam engine cylinder. In accordance with mynnproved system, the heat of the cooling water from gas engine cylinder is utilized in the steam boiler. i

In the drawings',- I have illustrated, by

way of example, a specific embodiment of I the invention, but I desire it to be understood that changes and variations in the particular construction shown, and the carrying out of the invention inother forms, as will appeal to those skilled in the art, and falling'within the scope of the appended claims may be made without departing from the pirit of the invention.

Referring to detail description of the drawin wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, 1 and 2 designate respectively the cylinder and piston of a steam engine. 3 is the steam inlet port of the cylinder controlled by the usual slide valve and gear. In the drawings, by way of example, one of the conventional forms of slide valve structures is illustrated in a general way, the valve gear not being shown. 3 is the valve adapted to slide on the seat 3 within the chest 3. a designates an induction port and 7) the exhaust. 3" is the steam boiler or generator, and 3 is the supply pipe leading from the boiler 8 to the chest 3.

1 designates the auxiliary gas engine cylinder, which in the present instance is shown located at one end and in longitudinal alignment with the steam engine cylinder, the piston 5 of the auxiliary gas'engine cylinder being connected with the steam engine cylinder to reciprocate in unison therewith, with the compression stroke of the gas engine piston 5 timed to take place with the power stroke of the steam engine piston. The auxiliary gas engine cylinder 1 is secured to the head 1 of the steam engine cylinder bybolts 6, suitable packing 7 being provided to make a fluid tight joint between the parts. The steam engine piston 1 and the gas engine piston 5 are connected to operate together by longitudinally extending rods 8 slidably supported in guides 9 on the cylinder 1, and short transversely extending rods 10-11 rigidly connecting opposite ends of the rods 8 ith the steam engine piston rod 12 and the piston rod 18 of the gas engine piston 5. The auxiliary gas engine cylinder at one end adjacent the steam engine cylinder has a gas intake 1% controlled by a check valve 15 of any suitable construction. 16 designates a carbureter of any approved construction connected with the intake 14 of the gas engine cylinder t by a conduit 17.

with air intake pipes 18 and an annular chamber 19 formed in the cylinder wall havingannular outlet ports 20-21 at opposite ends leading to the interior of the cylinder, air intake pipes 18 leading to said annular chamber and being provided with suitable check valves 22 and graduating valves 23.;

The cylinder head 1 is provided with an opening 24 forming a communicating passage between the cylinders 1 and 4:, and 25 is a valve controlling the said passage. As shown the walls of the opening24 are tapered to providea seat for the valve. The valve 25' is carried by a plate 26 slidably supported on pins 27 extending from the cylinder head 1. The pins 27 at their outer endshave heads 27 and arranged on said pin between the heads thereoi and the plate 26 are coiled springs 28, which act to force the valve 25 to its seat, the valve and its associated parts being located within a. recess 29 at the inner side of the cylinder head 1.

The gas engine cyhnder at its other end is provided Any suitable ignition or sparking mechanism may be employed. The construction illustrated in the drawing, which I consider of special advantage, is of the break spark type and consists of a contact member 30 mounted on the cylinder adjacent the opening 24:, and a cooperating contact member 31 carried by the valve 25, the contact members being suitably connected with a sparking circuit. A conductor 32 is shown leading to the contact member 30. The electrical connection with the other movable contact member 25 may be made by grounding the other terminal of the circuit in accordance with the usual practice.

The operation of the system is as follows:

Steam is fed from the steam boiler 8 to the steam engine cylinder 1 in the usual way, the steam entering theinlet port 3 of the cylinder, the feedin of the steam bein controlled by the usuasliding valve. ff the pressure in the steam boiler is say 150 lbs. per square inch, it is likely that thQPressure in the steam engine cylinder, where'the steam is entering will not be more than 100 lbs. on account of wire drawings, etc. As the steam enters, it is cut off at the inlet port 3 and expands from thereon losing temperature. As the steam engine piston moves forwardly, the gas engine piston 5 follows in the auxiliary gas cylinder compressing the mixture of gas and air that was drawn in on its out stroke. On the inward stroke of the gas engine piston air is drawn into the auxiliary gas engine cylinder 4 through the air intake 18 and upon thereturn stroke of the piston 5 the air is compressed and transferred around'the piston, the annular chamberlt) with its spaced outlet ports 20 and 21 serving as a bypass, the pressure being thus increased above atmosphericin the auxiliary gas engine cylinder before the compression stroke begins. As will be understood, the drawing-in of the combustible mixture, and the compressed air transfer is practically simultaneous, the compressed air transfer taking place near the end of the outstroke of the piston into the unsatisfied vacuum resulting from the suction on the carbureter. This pressure is regulated by the graduating cocks 23, the check valves 22 preventing escape of theair drawninto the cylinder but allowing suflicient air to enter and regulate the compression in the gas cylinder as desired. lVhen the pressure in the gas engine cylinder exceeds the steam pressure in the steam engine cylinder, the valve 25 opens and upon the opening of the valve the contact member 31 ot' the sparking mechanism is moved out of engagement with the contact member 30 so that a spark is made and the combustible gas and air mixture in' the gas engine cylinder is ignited. This increases the pressure and temperature in the gas engine cylinderseveral times .i

naoeyoo and, because of this increased pressure, the exploded charge empties itself ordischarges into the steam engine cylinder behind the piston therein, the temperature and pressure therein being increased in proportion as the area therein is to the area or" the steam engine pistomand thetemperature as to the temperature in the steamengine cylinder behind the steam engine piston.

As will be understood the valve 25 is held to its seat to close the passageway between the cylinders always while steam is being admitted to or exhausted from the steam engine cylinder, and opens automatically only when the pressure in the gas engine cylinder exceeds the pressure of the steam in the steam engine cylinder.

The gas engine piston 5 is arranged to' travel clear to the end of the cylinder so that all burned gases are expelled directly after each explosion, the gas engine being adapted to operate so that an explosion occurs on each complete revolution of the crank shaft.

A water cooling system of any suitable form is provided for the auxiliary gas engine cylinder, the cylinder and seat for the valve 25 being shown provided with jacket; 34:, 34;. for the circulation of the cooling water, and a forcepump (not shown) work ing in stroke with the steam engine is preterably employed in order to insure a suiilcient supply of the cooling water. The heat of the water from the cooling system is utilized in the steam engine boiler S, a conduit 35 leading from the waterv jacket to the steamboiler 3 35 designates the cooling water supply pipe.

It will be noted that my improved system of superheating'and treating the steam di rectly in the cylinder of the engine, possesses advantages of considerable practical importance. The heat is not dissipated in pipes on route to the cylinder as in the methods commonly employed .There is also less heat loss as the mixture of steam and carbon dioxide does not condense on cooling surfaces as readily as steam alone. It will also be noted that the maximum pressure is not applied-to the steam engine piston on dead'center, but does occur when the crank pin is in the most advantageous position to transmit it. Further, more effective use is made of the pressure derived fromthe explosion in the gas'engine than in the conventional explosive motors in which the exhaust valve is opened when there is .still about 40 lbs. pressure in. the cylinder. As the. steam in the cylinder is released at a pressure very much less than 40 lbs, it is apparent-that greater etliciency is. secured from the gas engine. Increased efliciency also results becausetheburned contents are completely expelled aftereach explosion.

lVhatI claim] is: a

l. Thecombinationwith a steam engine,

including a cylinder and piston, of means for furnishing-a medium for adding heat to the steam inthe cylinder of the engine, a connection between said means and thecyh inder of the engine, and a valve controlling said connection opening automatically to per? mit said medium to enter the cylinder when the pressure, of the charge of steam in the cylinder falls below a predetermined degree.

2. The combination with a steam engine including a cylinder and piston, of means for furnishing a medium for adding pres? sure to the steam in the cylinder of the engine, a connection between said means and the cylinder of the engine, and a valve controlling said conn-ection opening automatically to permit said medium to enter the cylinder when the pressure of the charge of steam in the cylinder falls below a predetermined degree.

3. The combination with a steam engine including a cylinder and piston, a combustible gas supply, a connection between said combustiblegas supply and the cylinder of the steam engine, a valve contnolling said connection opening automatically whenthe pressure of the steam in theengine cylinder falls below a predetermined degree, and ignition means for the combustion charge.

4. The combination with a steam engine including a cylinder and piston,'-ot means acting automatically to heat the steam in the cylinder when the pressure of the same falls below a predetermined degree, said means including an auxiliary cylinder and piston, means for supplying combustible gas to the auxiliarvcylinder, a connection between the auxiliary cylinder and the steam engine cylinder, and a valve controllingsaid passage. and acting automatically to open when the pressureoi the steam in the cylinder falls below a predetermined degree.

5. The combinationwith a; steam engine including steam generating means, and means fortfeeding the steam to the engine,

of means independent of the first mentionedsteam generating means and acting automatically to introduce into the steam engine 7 cylinder during the power stroke a medium for raising the pressure of the charge of steam in the cylinder when the pressureof the steam falls below a predetermined degree;

6. The combination with a steam engine including a cylinder and piston, of means acting automatically to heat the steam in the cylinder, said means'including an auxiliary cylinder and p.iston,'means for supplying combustible gas to the auxiliary cylinder, a connectionbetween the auxiliary cylinder and, the steam engineeylinder, and avalve for said passage operated automatically by the difference ofpressures in the steam en-' gine'cylinder and theauxiliary cylinder.

7. The combinat on with a steam engine including a cylinder and piston, of means for adding heat to the steam in the cylinder, said means including an auxiliary cylinder and piston, means forsupplying combustible mixture to the auxiliary cylinder, said steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder being arranged end to end, a connection be tween the adjacent ends of the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder, and a valve controlling said connection.

8. The combination with a steam engine including a cylinder and piston, of an auxiliary cylinder and piston, a combustible mixture supply connected with the auxiliary cylinder, the piston of the auxiliary cylinder being adapted to draw combustible mixture into the auxiliary cylinder and compress the same, a passage between the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder, a valve for said passage controlled by the difference of pressure in the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder, and sparking mechanism operating to generate a spark upon the opening of said valve.

9. The combination wit-h a steam engine including a cylinder and piston, of an auxiliary cylinder and piston, a combustible mixture supply connected with the auxiliary cylinder, the piston of the auxiliary cylinder being operatively connected with the steam engine piston and adapted to draw combustible mixture into the auxiliary cylinder and compress the same, a passage between the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder, a valve for said passage controlled by the difference of pressures in the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder, and sparking-mechanism operating to generate a spark upon the opening of said valve. 3

10. The combination with a steam engine including a cylinder and piston, of an auxiliary. cylinder and piston, a' carburetor connected with the auxiliary cylinder, the piston of the auxiliary cylinder being adapted to draw combustible mixture into the auxiliary cylinder and compress the same, a passage between the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder, a valve for said passage controlled by the difference of pressure in the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder, and sparking mechanism to ignite a charge of combustible mixture compressed in the auxiliary cylinder. 7

11, The combination with a steam engine including a cylinder and piston, ofan auxiliary cylinder and piston, a combustible mixture supply connected with the auxiliary cylinder, a valve controlled passage between the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder, the piston of the .auxi'liary'cylinderbeing operatively connected with the steam engine piston to operate in timed relation therewith, with a compression stroke of the piston of theauxiliary cylinder timed with the power stroke of the steam engine,and

means for igniting a charge of combustible mixture compressed in the auxiliary cylinder.

'12. The combination with a steam engine including a cylinder and piston, of an auxiliary cylinder and piston, a combustible mixture supply connected with the auxiliary cylinder, a valve controlled passage between the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder, the piston of the auxiliary cylinder being operatively connected with the steam engine piston to reciprocate in unison therewith with the compression of the piston of the auxiliary cylinder timed with the power stroke of the steam engine piston, and means for igniting a charge of combustible mixture compressed in the auxiliary cylinder.

13. The combinationwith a steam engine including a cylinder and piston, of .an auxiliary cylinder and piston arranged at one end of and in longitudinal alignment with the steam engine cylinder and piston, a'combustible'mixture supply connected with the auxiliary cylinder, a valve controlled passage between the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliarycylinder, the piston of the auxiliary cy inder beingoperatively connected with the steam enginepiston to reciprocate in unison therewith with the compres sion stroke of the piston-0f the auxiliary cylinder timed with the power stroke of the steam engine, and means for igniting a charge of combustible mixture compressed in the auxiliary cylinder.

14. The combination with a steam engine including a cylinder and piston, of an aux iliary cylinder andpiston, a combustible mix-- ture supply connected with the auxiliary cylinder, a passage between the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder, a valve controlling said passage controlled by the difference of pressures in the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder and adapted to open whenthe pressure in the auxiliary cylinder exceeds that of the pres sure in the steam engine cylinder, the piston of the auxiliary cylinder being operatively connected with the steam engine piston to reciprocate in unison therewith with the compression stroke of the piston of the auxiliary cylinder timed with the. power. stroke of the steam engine piston, and means acting automatically to generate spark to ignite a charge of combustible mixturecompressed in the auxiliary cylinder upon the opening or said valve.

15. The combination with a steam engine including a cylinder and'piston, of an auxiliary cylinder and piston, a combustible mixture supply connected with the auxiliary cylinder, the piston of the auxiliary cylinder being adapted to draw combustible mixture into the auxiliary cylinder and compress the same, a passage between the steamengine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder, a reciprocating valve for said passage controlled by the difference of pressure in the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder and adapted to open when the pressure in the auxiliary cylinder exceeds that of the pressure in the steam engine cylinder, springs acting to normally hold the valve to its seat, and sparking mechanism operating automatically to generate a spark upon the opening of the said valve.

16. The combination with a steam engine including a cylinder and piston, of an auxiliary cylinder and piston, said cylinder having a valve controlled intake near one end thereof, a carbureter connected with said intake, and said cylinder having at its opposite end an air intake and a by-pass passage connected with the interior of the cylinder and the said air intake, the piston of the auxiliary cylinder beingadapted to draw gas and air into the auxiliary cylinder and compress the same, a passage between the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder, a valve for said passage controlled by the difference of pressures in the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder, and means for igniting a charge of combustible mixture compressed in the auxiliary cylinder.

17. The combination with a steam engine including a cylinder and piston, of an auxiliary cylinder and piston, a combustible mixture supply connected with the auxiliary cylinder, the piston of the auxiliary cylinder being adapted to draw combustible mixture into the auxiliary cylinder and compress the same, a valve controlled passage between the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder, and means for igniting a charge of combustible mixture compressed in the auxiliary cylinder, said auxiliary piston being adapted to travel clear to the end of the auxiliary cylinder.

18. The combination with a steam engine including a cylinderand piston, of an auxiliary cylinder and piston, a combustible mixture supply connected with the auxiliary cylinder, the piston of the auxiliary cylinder being adapted to draw combustible mixture into the auxiliary cylinder and compress the same, a valve controlled passage between the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder, and means for igniting a charge of combustible mixture compressed in the auxiliary cylinder, said auxiliary piston being adapted to travel clear to the end of the auxiliary cylinder, and the gas engine cylinder and piston being capable of operating so that an explosion occurs upon each revolution of the crank shaft.

19. The combination with a steam engine including a cylinder and piston, of means for adding heat to the steam in the cylinder, said means including an auxiliary cylinder and piston, a combustible gas supply connected with the auxiliary cylinder, a passage between the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder, a valve for said passage controlled by the ditference of pressures in the steam engine cylinder and the auxiliary cylinder, said auxiliary piston operating in timed relation with the steam engine piston.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

H. H. STEINLE, M. ELLIs MAYER. 

